Crewe Alex v Wrexham 23/24 Preview - Diminished

It's a shame that this game doesn't have the stakes on it that looked likely 2 months ago. Both teams looked like they would be in the mix for the top 3 and promotion could have been sealed for either team with a win/draw. But given the form of them both in the last month, it's a game that has far fewer stakes on it. For Wrexham, their only prize now is knowing a result here might help them finish 2nd, rather than 3rd. For the Alex, they should be playing for a play-off place, but you wouldn't know it at this point.

So what looked to be a full blood and thunder affair could well be a drab and lifeless game with little to shout about.

Enjoy It

Crewe Alex are not going to be in the same league as Wrexham next season. They just aren't. It would take the miracle of miracles for them to finish in the top 7 then suddenly discover the ability to win 2 of 3 PO games and get promoted.

So I hope that the fans enjoy seeing a Crewe v Wrexham league game, especially the older ones who remember the rivalry the Alex used to have with their cross border neighbours back in the day. It might be awhile before we see this fixture again to be honest.

Show Up

Crewe Alex have to show up in this game. Have to. They have produced 2 no-shows in their last 2 against poor sides. There is simply no excuse for not showing up in a huge game, also their final home game of the season potentially should things continue to slide. They owe the fans a good performance, or at the very least a full blooded committed one.

If they think protecting themselves for the play-offs and losing makes sense, then they could be in for a shock when they don't even make them. which is what's in danger of happening if they don't find the final few points needed to secure a top 7 spot. We need to see a performance full of blood, sweat and tears. Nothing less.

Hollywood

It'll be interesting to see if Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney attend this game, with it being Wrexham's final away game of the season and within easy access of major airports. It seems unlikely given Reynold's busy filming schedule, but we could be graced by their presence. I doubt it has much factor on the game, but it will be an interesting wrinkle all the same.

Big Crowd

We're likely to see the biggest crowd for a regular season game for a long time. We saw just shy of 7,000 for their final home game of the 11-12 season with Aldershot. It was 7,400 against Preston in 13-14 and 7,600 against Bradford in 14-15. With 8,225 tickets already confirmed as sold given the last update, we could easily see something in the 9k region. Heck, it could be close to a sell out with a fair wind. How will the Alex players cope with such a big crowd and noisy, vibrant atmosphere, along with the party feeling in the away end I wonder?

The Best Game, or the worst?

There is an argument to be made that this game is the perfect game for the Alex. A big local rival at home could be just what they need to ramp themselves up, get ready for the play-offs, put in a decent performance and launch themselves into Colchester.

Or, it could be seen as the worst. Already low on confidence, a quality Wrexham team who will not want to disappoint their large travelling contingent, with a ridiculous starting XI and plenty of bench depth to spare(they brought on Stephen Fletcher, Jack Marriott and Luke Bolton off the bench against FGR!). It could be yet another hammering and a further blow to their already fragile mentality. I'm not sure if this game is a blessing or a curse.

Disparity

I wanted to bring in last point that came up in the last few days. Wrexham, for some reason, decided that because this was an early kick off, they needed to stay overnight in order to better help them prepare for the game. Aside from the fact the logic is baffling, given they are an hour away by coach at most, their ability to do this shows just how wide the gap in resources are, even at the lower levels. If the Alex end up in L2 next season, I wouldn't be the least bit bothered, as it would mean they are away from this lot.

Ref Watch

Seb Stockbridge

Stockbridge is on his 2nd game with the Alex this season, having done their League Cup game at Port Vale back in August. He's taken charge of a number of Alex games over the 11 years he's been reffing EFL games, which a mixed record, but a low booking count. I'm always suspicious of refs who haven't made any career progression in over a decade, but I can't remember any major shockers he's had.

2023/24 Record: 28 games(10 League One, 11 League Two, 3 League Cup, 2 EFL Trophy, 2 FA Cup), 130 yellows, 1 red

Last Game: Peterborough 4-1 Fleetwood, League One, 16th April 2024, 0 bookings

Crewe Alex Record: 4-4-7, 18 yellows

Injuries/Suspensions

Crewe Alex

Lewis Leigh is into the 2nd of his 4 game suspension. Bell, doing his best pinocchio impression, basically said everyone of the outfield players that missed last week bar Powell, Lunt and Offord would probably be back for next week at Colchester. Meaning 1, they won't be back for this game and 2, they probably won't be back next week either. It sounds like yet more tall stories to apparently throw Phil Parkinson and Danny Cowley off the scent. It'll be another depleted squad for this game.

Wrexham

So deep is Wrexham's squad that they will be without Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe, Will Boyle and James Jones, but you wouldn't know it to look at their squad and team sheet. They will be very strong in this game, no matter team they pick.

Team

I wanted to go full Leroy Jenkins on my team selection and start the likes of Agius and Woodcock, but it would never happen. So I'll go somewhat realistic. I'm switching to a back 4 of Cooney, Billington, Demetriou and Williams. Williams at LB isn't great, but I'd rather see a coherent formation.

I'm starting Finney alongside Holicek and Austerfield in midfield. I don't want to do any of that, but I don't see what else you can do? Then up front, I'm starting Adebisi and Tabiner either side of Nevitt. Yes, neither of those 2 are good options to start on the wing, but starting Kirk and Rowe given how they are playing currently is something I cannot do. Will Bell do anything remotely like this? No, but it's what I'd do. Make a statement.

Score Prediction

My only hope is that Wrexham can't be arsed with finishing 2nd and simply want to party for the remainder of the season. Saddest thing is though, I'd back even a pissed up Wrexham team to stick 3 or 4 past this Alex team, the state they are in. So that's what I'm going to predict.

Crewe Alex 0-3 Wrexham